The Practice of Gratitude

Every morning I wake with a sense of gratitude. There is a sign at our front door greeting visitors; "With gratitude, the Universe is endlessly abundant". It wasn't as if I had had this sense of gratitude my entire life, rather it grew inside of me and came about through life experiences. These experiences have not only involved profoundly beautiful, spiritual and connected moments, but also deeply painful and trying times. The extremes lead to a deeper and deeper sense of gratitude for simply being alive.
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The attitude of gratitude is not to deny the reality of what might be happening in the world, rather, it's a choice to focus, (even if for a short amount of time), on what I have in my life, rather than what I don't have. It also has a beautiful ability to dissolve the power-play of competition and comparison that acts out so strongly in cultures and societies. As covered before in a previous Podcast, "Moving Beyond Comparison and Competition", these two energies are from an old paradigm and do not exist in a place of gratitude or abundance.   

Gratitude is an ancient practice, often exercised in forms of Yoga, Meditation and other modalities of spirituality. To me, it is simply about making a choice, to create space for grace, where I can honor all of life at the deepest levels. It can also involve the acceptance of impermanence; that change is inevitable. 

When I practice gratitude, I feel a deep sense of connection with existence. My heart is more open, I am able to experience life with a sense of wonder and adventure. 
Through observation, it has been noticeable that humility and compassion are qualities that also emerge and expand when one is grateful. Even when I have encountered anger or fear while in a space of gratitude, those energies eventually subside. Anger or fear do not exist when I am genuinely compassionate and grateful.

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​Ways to Practice Gratitude

Over the years, I've included meditation in healing sessions. The practice of gratitude is one of the exercises that has been most affective. Reflecting on what I am grateful for, automatically opens my heart and I am more likely to surrender and let go to an energy greater than myself.
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• ​​Whatever the new day offers, thank it, for there is always something to learn - there is no positive or negative, just the experience
• Adopt a different attitude; e.g. Life is an Adventure​!

• Who do you love? Who loves you? Who do you appreciate? Who appreciates you?
• ​What do you love about (your spouse, children, friends, etc), focus on the uniqueness, the beauty and celebrate the differences
• ​Free yourself and others; express inner feelings, let go of grievances and practice forgiveness
• What ignites passion, pleasure, happiness, peace, appreciation within you? Do more of it!
• Who do you feel you can be completely yourself with? Thank them for their love and support
• What makes you feel alive?​ What do you love to do? 
  
• What makes you laugh?
• Turn the television/phone/computer off, spend quality time with those you love
• Sit quietly and connect with nature
• Dance in the rain
• ...and many more!

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Written by Laura Naomi